Top model defends her starring role in controversial ad

South African model Candice Swanepoel, in Mexico City to promote the Liverpool department store, defends her role in a raunchy ad for shoe designer Brian Atwood.

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (AUGUST 29, 2012) (REUTERS) -

Victoria's Secret model, Candice Swanepoel, defended on Wednesday (August 29) her starring role in a raunchy ad generating controversy in New York.

The 23-year old South African, in Mexico to promote the Liverpool department store, is featured in shoe designer Brian Atwood's latest ad campaign. The billboard-sized photos show Swanepoel wearing a basque, stockings and tiger-print Atwood shoes while draped suggestively over two naked male models.

The images had been displayed on the facade of Atwood's new Madison Avenue store. But the building housing the store recently banned the ad, according to the New York Post.

"I respect that they banned it in certain places. Not everybody is that comfortable with their sexuality, with showing your body. But for me, it's not a problem. I'm proud of my body. I work hard for my body, as long as it's always done in a tasteful way which it was, I'm fine with it," said Swanepoel in a news conference.

She also told reporters she would like to try her hand at acting.

"I have thought about it in the past. When I watch movies, I would love to play the character and be a different person but I don't think acting is for me. I'm more of a private person. I wouldn't want to go into the whole Hollywood world now. You never know but, I might change my mind but for now I'm enjoying what I'm doing with modelling. It's kind of silent acting what we do so, that's enough for me," she said.

Swanepoel was invited to Mexico by the Liverpool store to promote the autumn - winter 2012 collection. She graced the catwalk wearing a blue short dress and then a breezy long ensemble.

Swanepoel will travel to Guadalajara, Monterrey and Puebla and to take part in various promotional activities as part of the store's Fashion Fest tour.